NEXT PANORAMA - HOW SAFE IS MY MONEY? - MONDAY 8.30PM
MELTDOWN AND MERGERS
Harold Wilson said "a week is a long time in politics" - but it seems that in the financial sector it is even longer.
And what a week it has been! It all started on Monday with the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
After that every day brought a new shock headline: HBOS and Lloyds TSB merged; AIG bailed out to the tune of $85bn; central banks pumping billions of dollars into money markets; stock markets tumbling; a crackdown on short selling.
As one BBC business reporter said when asked how his week had been: "crazy doesn't even begin to describe it - I've never lived through such times."
DEPRESSING TIMES
And experts are warning that it is not just bankers and shareholders who face dark days ahead, that this past week of economic turmoil will affect millions around the world.
It has left ordinary consumers asking what it means for them and asking questions...
Questions like: Can I keep my job? Will I be be able to get a mortgage? Can I still retire as planned? Would my money be safer hidden under the mattress than sitting in the bank?
SPECIAL EDITION OF PANORAMA
At Panorama we believe it is our job to provide an answer to those questions.
So on Tuesday the decision was made to tear up the TV schedule for next Monday and do a completely new programme called How Safe Is My Money?
We call this kind of programme a "fast turn around" - instead of the usual weeks or even months of research which goes into making an episode of Panorama we have had just under a week.
A week to find experts, insiders and case studies, to film both in the UK and US, to script and edit the programme and have it ready to go by Monday evening.
Our teams have been working overtime to make sure it will be ready and we hope that you tune in to BBC One at 8.30pm on Monday to see the fruits of our labour - and of course get those questions answered.
CANCER DRUGS MAP
Something to look out for out for on our site next week will be a map showing the best and worst places to get cancer drugs in the UK.
It follows a survey carried out by BBC programme Dom's on the Case, which looked at the shocking disparities in medical treatment around Britain - a subject Panorama reported on in NHS Postcode Lottery: It Could be You.
You will be able to check out the interactive map on our site on Wednesday of next week, and Dom's on the Case will be on BBC One at 9.15am every morning from Sept 22nd - Sept 27th.
DRINKING FOR BRITAIN?
One more thing to mention - in August we broadcast True Brits, a programme examining what it means to be British in today's multi-cultural society.
The programme coincided with a bank holiday which home office minister Liam Byrne had suggested should be devoted to celebrating all things British.
Now after months of thinking and research, Mr Byrne has published a pamphlet suggesting what kind of shindig we should have.
Among the 27 suggestions of how we could best celebrate our country - drinking - a practice which BBC reporter Andrew Marr referred to "as our national sport".
MANY THANKS
That's it from us for now but remember you can keep up to date with Panorama via our website.
The Panorama team.
Friday, September 19, 2008
PANORAMA
NEXT PANORAMA - HOW SAFE IS MY MONEY? - MONDAY 8.30PM
MELTDOWN AND MERGERS
Harold Wilson said "a week is a long time in politics" - but it seems that in the financial sector it is even longer.
And what a week it has been! It all started on Monday with the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
After that every day brought a new shock headline: HBOS and Lloyds TSB merged; AIG bailed out to the tune of $85bn; central banks pumping billions of dollars into money markets; stock markets tumbling; a crackdown on short selling.
As one BBC business reporter said when asked how his week had been: "crazy doesn't even begin to describe it - I've never lived through such times."
DEPRESSING TIMES
And experts are warning that it is not just bankers and shareholders who face dark days ahead, that this past week of economic turmoil will affect millions around the world.
It has left ordinary consumers asking what it means for them and asking questions...
Questions like: Can I keep my job? Will I be be able to get a mortgage? Can I still retire as planned? Would my money be safer hidden under the mattress than sitting in the bank?
SPECIAL EDITION OF PANORAMA
At Panorama we believe it is our job to provide an answer to those questions.
So on Tuesday the decision was made to tear up the TV schedule for next Monday and do a completely new programme called How Safe Is My Money?
We call this kind of programme a "fast turn around" - instead of the usual weeks or even months of research which goes into making an episode of Panorama we have had just under a week.
A week to find experts, insiders and case studies, to film both in the UK and US, to script and edit the programme and have it ready to go by Monday evening.
Our teams have been working overtime to make sure it will be ready and we hope that you tune in to BBC One at 8.30pm on Monday to see the fruits of our labour - and of course get those questions answered.
CANCER DRUGS MAP
Something to look out for out for on our site next week will be a map showing the best and worst places to get cancer drugs in the UK.
It follows a survey carried out by BBC programme Dom's on the Case, which looked at the shocking disparities in medical treatment around Britain - a subject Panorama reported on in NHS Postcode Lottery: It Could be You.
You will be able to check out the interactive map on our site on Wednesday of next week, and Dom's on the Case will be on BBC One at 9.15am every morning from Sept 22nd - Sept 27th.
DRINKING FOR BRITAIN?
One more thing to mention - in August we broadcast True Brits, a programme examining what it means to be British in today's multi-cultural society.
The programme coincided with a bank holiday which home office minister Liam Byrne had suggested should be devoted to celebrating all things British.
Now after months of thinking and research, Mr Byrne has published a pamphlet suggesting what kind of shindig we should have.
Among the 27 suggestions of how we could best celebrate our country - drinking - a practice which BBC reporter Andrew Marr referred to "as our national sport".
MANY THANKS
That's it from us for now but remember you can keep up to date with Panorama via our website.
The Panorama team.
MELTDOWN AND MERGERS
Harold Wilson said "a week is a long time in politics" - but it seems that in the financial sector it is even longer.
And what a week it has been! It all started on Monday with the collapse of Lehman Brothers.
After that every day brought a new shock headline: HBOS and Lloyds TSB merged; AIG bailed out to the tune of $85bn; central banks pumping billions of dollars into money markets; stock markets tumbling; a crackdown on short selling.
As one BBC business reporter said when asked how his week had been: "crazy doesn't even begin to describe it - I've never lived through such times."
DEPRESSING TIMES
And experts are warning that it is not just bankers and shareholders who face dark days ahead, that this past week of economic turmoil will affect millions around the world.
It has left ordinary consumers asking what it means for them and asking questions...
Questions like: Can I keep my job? Will I be be able to get a mortgage? Can I still retire as planned? Would my money be safer hidden under the mattress than sitting in the bank?
SPECIAL EDITION OF PANORAMA
At Panorama we believe it is our job to provide an answer to those questions.
So on Tuesday the decision was made to tear up the TV schedule for next Monday and do a completely new programme called How Safe Is My Money?
We call this kind of programme a "fast turn around" - instead of the usual weeks or even months of research which goes into making an episode of Panorama we have had just under a week.
A week to find experts, insiders and case studies, to film both in the UK and US, to script and edit the programme and have it ready to go by Monday evening.
Our teams have been working overtime to make sure it will be ready and we hope that you tune in to BBC One at 8.30pm on Monday to see the fruits of our labour - and of course get those questions answered.
CANCER DRUGS MAP
Something to look out for out for on our site next week will be a map showing the best and worst places to get cancer drugs in the UK.
It follows a survey carried out by BBC programme Dom's on the Case, which looked at the shocking disparities in medical treatment around Britain - a subject Panorama reported on in NHS Postcode Lottery: It Could be You.
You will be able to check out the interactive map on our site on Wednesday of next week, and Dom's on the Case will be on BBC One at 9.15am every morning from Sept 22nd - Sept 27th.
DRINKING FOR BRITAIN?
One more thing to mention - in August we broadcast True Brits, a programme examining what it means to be British in today's multi-cultural society.
The programme coincided with a bank holiday which home office minister Liam Byrne had suggested should be devoted to celebrating all things British.
Now after months of thinking and research, Mr Byrne has published a pamphlet suggesting what kind of shindig we should have.
Among the 27 suggestions of how we could best celebrate our country - drinking - a practice which BBC reporter Andrew Marr referred to "as our national sport".
MANY THANKS
That's it from us for now but remember you can keep up to date with Panorama via our website.
The Panorama team.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
History of Okro soup
| Okro soup is a traditional soup from Nigeria, in the southern region of Nigeria known as Anambra State. It is located in Ibo. It is a kind of soup that is cooked with beef or chicken. Some people think it is very hard to make, but you can make a good okro soup if you follow these good steps. Okro soup is usually served during lunch period. The soup is usually served with fufu.Okro soup has an interesting story about it. According to tradition the Ibo’s are not allowed to eat okro every 1st Sunday of each month, because it is an abomination in Ibo land if you do so. There is a trickish way to eat the soup, since the okro are cut in a round shape when preparing it, we will grind the okro and then make the soup so that the gods of the land would not see that we ate the okro.This dish is so special to me because it makes me feel happy all day and very comfortable. INGREDIENT: Meat (beef or chicken), Stock fish, Spices(like pepper, onion), Spinach, okro, crayfish, maggi(2 cubes), salt (2tbsp), palm oil, 2 qts water. ELEMENTS: Medium sized pot, knife, blender, spoon (large), dishes (medium), mortar and pestle. THE RECIPE:
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Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
About the Female condom and Its effects
he female condom is a thin sheath or pouch worn by a woman during sex. It entirely lines the vagina and helps to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) including HIV. Two types of female condom are available. 
The VA w.o.w. Condom Feminine
The FC / FC2 female condom
The FC female condom has been available in Europe since 1992 and was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1993. It is available in many countries, at least in limited quantities, throughout the world. This female condom carries various brand names in different countries including Reality, Femidom, Dominique, Femy, Myfemy, Protectiv’ and Care.
An FC female condom
The FC female condom is a polyurethane sheath or pouch about 17 cm (6.5 inches) in length. At each end there is a flexible ring. At the closed end of the sheath, the flexible ring is inserted into the vagina to hold the female condom in place. At the other open end of the sheath, the ring stays outside the vulva at the entrance to the vagina. This ring acts as a guide during penetration and it also stops the sheath bunching up inside the vagina.
There is silicone-based lubricant on the inside of the condom, but additional lubrication can be used. The condom does not contain spermicide.
In 2005 the makers of the FC female condom announced a new product called FC2. This has the same design as the original version but is made of nitrile, which may make it cheaper to produce. The FC2 began large-scale production in 2007. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is already procuring the FC2. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) plans to switch to the new product if it gains FDA approval.
The VA w.o.w. Condom Feminine
A VA w.o.w. Condom Feminine
The VA w.o.w. Condom Feminine (or VA for short) has been distributed as part of HIV prevention efforts in South Africa since 2004. More recently it has become available in Brazil, Indonesia and through government clinics in Portugal. Having gained the “CE mark” for European marketing, its manufacturer plans to expand its availability in European shops and clinics. One more trial is needed before the product can gain FDA approval for sale in the USA.
Like most male condoms, the VA is made of latex. When not stretched it is much shorter than the FC – around 9 cm (3.5 inches) – though it is highly elastic. It has a rounded triangular frame at the open end and a sponge inside the closed end, which helps to anchor it inside the vagina.
The VA is lubricated and does not contain spermicide. Oil-based lubricants should not be used with this female condom as they can damage latex.
How do you use the female condom?
Open the package carefully. Choose a position that is comfortable for insertion - squat, raise one leg, sit or lie down. Make sure the condom is lubricated enough.
If you are using the FC or FC2 female condom, make sure the inner ring is at the closed end of the sheath, and hold the sheath with the open end hanging down. Squeeze the inner ring with thumb and middle finger (so it becomes long and narrow), and then insert the inner ring and sheath into the vaginal opening. Gently insert the inner ring into the vagina and feel it go up. Place the index finger inside the condom and push the inner ring as far as it will go. Make sure the condom is inserted straight, and is not twisted inside the vagina. The outer ring should remain on the outside of the vagina.
To begin inserting the VA, hold the sponge and frame close together and place the closed end in front of the vagina. Use two fingers to push the closed end containing the sponge inside the vagina as far as it will go. Make sure the sponge is opened up flat once it has been inserted. The frame should remain on the outside of the vagina.
The penis should be guided into the condom in order to ensure that the penis does not slip into the vagina outside the condom. Use enough lubricant so that the condom stays in place during sex. The female condom should not be used at the same time as a male condom because the friction between the two condoms may cause the condoms to break.
If the condom slips during intercourse, or if it enters the vagina, then you should stop immediately and take the female condom out. Then insert a new one and add extra lubricant to the opening of the sheath or on the penis.
To remove the condom, twist the outer ring or frame gently and then pull the condom out keeping the sperm inside. Wrap the condom in the package or in tissue and throw it away. Do not put it into the toilet. It is generally recommended that the female condom should not be reused.
The female condom may feel unfamiliar at first. The female condom may feel different and some people find it difficult to insert. Some women find that with time and practice using the female condom becomes easier and easier.
What are the benefits?
- Opportunity for women to share the responsibility for the condoms with their partners
- A woman may be able to use the female condom if her partner refuses to use the male condom
- The female condom will protect against most STDs and pregnancy if used correctly
- The FC or FC2 female condom can be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse so as not to interfere with the moment
- The FC and FC2 female condoms are made of polyurethane and nitrile, which are less likely to cause an allergic reaction than latex. These materials can be used with oil-based as well as water-based lubricants. No special storage requirements are needed because polyurethane and nitrile are not affected by changes in temperature and dampness. In addition, these materials are thin and conduct heat well, so sensation is preserved.
What are the disadvantages?
- The outer ring or frame is visible outside the vagina, which can make some women feel self-conscious
- The FC and FC2 female condoms can make noises during intercourse (adding more lubricant can lessen this problem)
- Some women find the female condom hard to insert and to remove
- It has a higher failure rate in preventing pregnancy than non-barrier methods such as the pill
- It is relatively expensive and relatively limited in availability in some countries
- It is recommended that the female condom be used only once
Can I reuse the female condom?
It is believed that limited availability and high cost have led some women to reuse female condoms in some countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends use of a new male or female condom for every act of intercourse for those people who use condoms for pregnancy prevention and/or STD/HIV prevention.
WHO does not recommend or promote reuse of female condoms but has released a document together with guidelines and advice for programme managers who may consider reuse of FC female condoms in local settings.1 There are no guidelines for reusing VA and FC2 female condoms.
Using the female condom for anal sex
Some people use the female condom for anal sex. Although it can work effectively, it is difficult to use and can be painful. There is also the risk of rectal bleeding which increases the risk of contracting HIV. So it’s better to use the male condom for anal sex with plenty of lubricant NOT containing Nonoxynol 9.
Support for the female condom
WHO and UNAIDS are encouraging wider access to the female condom as a method of preventing both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Many governments and non-governmental organisations provide female condoms for free or at subsidised prices as part of their HIV prevention and family planning programmes.
Worldwide use and availability
The female condom is used in public health programmes in more than 90 countries and is commercially marketed directly to consumers in ten countries.2 It is quite widely used in some places where it is actively promoted, such as South Africa, Zimbabwe and Brazil. However in many parts of the world it is hardly available at all.
In 2007, the makers of the FC female condom sold around 25.9 million units worldwide, up from 14 million in 2005.3 Many of these condoms were purchased by donor agencies such as USAID and UNFPA. The VA currently sells in much smaller quantities. Altogether, female condoms account for only around 0.2% of global condom use.
Valentine's Day Gift And Beauty!
Myths About St Valentine's day Gift
On the Valentine’s Day eve every man including your sweetheart has a hard time. He doesn’t know, what to buy for you. He wants to find a perfect gift, which would prove his love to you, which would gladden you and provide you with a lot of the most positive emotions. He wants you happy, but has no idea, how. But you can relieve his sufferings and always make a hint, a wish list or just tell your beloved, what you want. This would not let him surprise you, but it guarantees joy for you both. Today pearls have become extremely popular, they can be worn both at the office and at a party. This is why many women consider pearl jewelry a wonderful gift and dream of possessing a beautiful pink pearl bracelet or a black freshwater pearl necklace. Like this, for example:
Pearl jewelry is timeless. Pearls have been known for thousands of years. Since ancient times it has been a symbol of unblemished perfection. It is the oldest known gem, but is also very popular nowadays. In spite of this there are some myths about pearls people believe, which don’t let them enjoy this beauty. Let’s break them!
Myth 1. Natural Pearls Are Extremely Expensive
Yes, they are expensive, but not all pearls. Actually only 0,5% of the whole amount of the pearls being born are referred to as expensive. These pearls have an ideal round shape, smooth surface and are very lustrous. If the pearl shape differs from spherical, and is only 2-3% ellipse, its price is 5-10 times less than a round analog. But the rounder the pearl, the more seldom they are born. Inexpensive pearls are ellipse-, diametrical- and oval-shaped ones. Just as an example: a freshwater pearl bracelet costs between $27 and $150. And the price of a whole pearl jewelry set runs from $125 to $1300 depending on what you (your man) want and can afford.
Myth 2. Cultivated Pearls Are Artificial. Fie! Only Natural Pearls Are Valued
No way fie. Pearls are called cultivated, if the pearl-mollusk is regularly fed, taken care of and protected from temperature drops. Both “domestic” and “wild” (or “natural”) pearl oysters have the same, natural metabolism. The difference is only in the fact, that a cultivated peal has a much easier life, than the wild one, this is why cultivated pearls are more quality and smooth. Conclusion – quality cultivated pearls are beautiful, have a high value and are natural for sure. So, it could be given as a gift.
Myth 3. Pearls Are Only for Grandmas or Older Ladies
No, no and no! Pearl jewelry can be both classic and modern. Depending on design, it can be worn for absolutely different occasions. Whether you need to look elegant, glamourous and luxurious, or strict and laconic, or want to create a young, fresh and stylish look – you can and need to wear pearl jewelry. Because it can be very different and make you look best, emphasize your beauty, no matter what’s your age.
Myth 4. Pearls are Only for Women
If your husband (boyfriend) is interested in the latest fashion trends, wear stylish clothes, he might also like pearls. It sounds unusual, but men can also wear pearls. How? In cufflinks or neckpieces. See examples below. As you see, it is also a good gift for a man on the Valentine’s Day.
Use your bodies for God's Glory
USE YOUR BODIES FOR GOD'S GLORY
Some one will say "I am allowed to do anything". Yes; but not everything is good for you. I could say that I am allowed to do anything, but I am not going to let anything make me it slave.
Any man that joins himself with a prostitute becomes physically one with her but he who join with Christ becomes spiritually one with Him.
For God bought you for a price so use your bodies for God's glory.
Words from Tita Lenz
Some one will say "I am allowed to do anything". Yes; but not everything is good for you. I could say that I am allowed to do anything, but I am not going to let anything make me it slave.
Any man that joins himself with a prostitute becomes physically one with her but he who join with Christ becomes spiritually one with Him.
For God bought you for a price so use your bodies for God's glory.
Words from Tita Lenz
Enjoy the beauty of flowers for free
Flowers… these beautiful gifts of nature. They provoke positive emotions, improve one’s mood. Today I’ll share with you a little piece of my flower pictures collection – mostly images of little flowers. Most of these flowers are wild. Field flowers have this fascination of innocence and wildness. Some of them look unprotected and sometimes shy, but each one is beautiful.
How a flower and our worl
Why are flowers beautiful?
People love flowers for their array of colors, textures, shapes and fragrances. But is pleasing the human eye the purpose of nature's floral design?
"The beauty of the flower is a byproduct of what it takes for the plant to attract pollinators," said dePamphilis. "The features that we appreciate are cues to pollinators that there are rewards to be found in the flower."
Scent, color and size all attract a diversity of pollinators, which include thousands of species of bees, wasps, butterflies, moths and beetles, as well as vertebrates such as birds and bats.
Flying insects, comprising the vast majority of pollinators, stop at the plant to eat nectar and pick up pollen, which they then distribute as they visit additional flowers. Noted dePamphilis, "Pollinators are providing a very important service to the plant without which it couldn’t reproduce."
To aid insects in finding the nectar — and thus, the pollen — many flowering plants have evolved to possess bright colors (hummingbirds and butterflies favor reds and yellows), as well as "nectar guides" that may only be visible in ultraviolet (UV) light—a wavelength of the light spectrum bees can see and people cannot. From a bee's-eye-view, the UV colors and patterns in a flower's petals dramatically announce the flower's stash of nectar and pollen.
The patterns on flowers that both humans and pollinators can see — such as the lines on petals called striations — serve as a sort of air traffic control system for bees, and help guide them into the "bull's-eye" of nectar and pollen at the flower's center, added dePamphilis. Thanks to this co-evolutionary trait that developed between the two species, the bee can efficiently visit many blossoms and pollinate a larger number of plants.
To discover more about how these relationships evolved, dePamphilis and colleagues are using DNA-sequencing to dig back into the evolutionary history of flowers. "What we're really trying to do is infer the characteristics in a detailed, genetic way of what the earliest flowering plants were like," dePamphilis explained.
The fossil record dates the first flower somewhere between 125 and 140 million years ago. “How did those first flowers become the thousands of different varieties we now see in nature?” dePamphilis asked. "Gene mapping may shed some light on the beginning of the story.”
While most flowers look and smell good to humans, some evolved strategies to attract their pollinators that are downright repellent to people, he noted. Plants belonging to the parasitic genus Rafflesia, native to Indonesia, produce what experts agree is the world’s largest single flower, growing up to 3 feet wide. In addition to its sheer size, a Rafflesia flower announces its presence by its odor, a putrid stench of rotting meat. Though repulsive, the odor of "the stinking corpse lily," as the flowering Rafflesia arnoldii is known, proves irresistible to its main pollinators -- carrion flies.
One has to wonder what how Georgia O'Keefe, who made art out of pretty flowers and alabaster animal skulls alike, would have painted this unsightly, but unforgettable, blossom.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Hopes raised for block on cancer
Scientists say they have taken a big step towards blocking a chemical vital to the growth of many cancers.
They have unpicked the structure of telomerase, an enzyme which, when active, helps keep cells in an "immortal" state.
The chemical is at work in more than nine out of ten types of tumour.
Researchers from Philadelphia's Wistar Institute, writing in the journal Nature, say their efforts could lead to drugs which switch it off.
All cells in the body have a natural clock - the telomeres - which shorten every time the cell divides.
 |  The idea is that you could convert immortal cancer cells back into mortal ones by blocking telomerase in this way  Professor Rob Newbold Brunel University |
This change is responsible for changes within the ageing body, as cell division slows down.
Some cells, such as stem cells within the embryo, use the chemical telomerase to maintain telomere length.
Many tumours have hijacked the telomerase system to fuel their uninhibited growth.
The Wistar team has found a new way to map the structure of the most active part of the chemical.
'Few side effects'
Dr Emmanuel Skordalakes said that this detailed picture would help provide molecular targets for drugs.
"Telomerase is an ideal target for chemotherapy because it is active in almost all human tumours, but inactive in most normal cells.
"That means that a drug that deactivates telomerase would likely work against all cancers, with few side effects."
Professor Rob Newbold, from Brunel University in Uxbridge, said it was a "very important" achievement.
"Telomerase controls the evolution of cancers - and is a key characteristic of human cancer cells.
"The idea is that you could convert immortal cancer cells back into mortal ones by blocking telomerase in this way.
"Having discovered the structure now, it will certainly help the development of drugs."
Nasa 'reviews shuttle shelf-life'
Nasa will study whether the space shuttle can operate beyond its planned retirement in 2010, reports say.
The agency will look at what might be required to delay the retirement of its fleet until the shuttle's replacement - Ares-Orion - begins flying in 2015.
The exercise is aimed at answering questions it expects on the matter from Congress and the incoming president.
News of the study comes from a leaked internal email obtained by a Florida-based newspaper.
Nasa chief Michael Griffin, who is reported to have ordered the study, had previously opposed extending the shuttle programme.
The agency's administrator argued that the money and effort required to do so would stymie progress on the Ares rockets and the Apollo-style Orion capsules that will succeed the shuttle.
These are being developed by Nasa as part of its "Constellation" programme. The system is expected to carry astronauts to the Moon under the Vision for Space Exploration plans announced by President George W Bush in 2004.
Russian flights
In April, Dr Griffin told a Senate sub-committee: "The shuttle is an inherently risky design. We currently assess the per-mission risk as about one in 75 of having a fatal accident.
"If one were to do, as some have suggested, fly the shuttle for an additional five years - say two missions a year - the risk would be about one in 12 that we would lose another crew."
But an e-mail obtained by the Orlando Sentinel suggests Nasa will now research this option.
In it, John Coggeshall, manifest and schedules manager at Nasa's Johnson Space Center in Houston, writes: "The [shuttle] programme in conjunction with [Constellation] and [space station] have been asked by the administrator to put together some manifest options to assess extending shuttle flights to 2015.
He added: "We want to focus on helping bridge the gap of US vehicles travelling to the [space station] as efficiently as possible."
But Nasa spokesman John Yembrick described the e-mail as "premature".
"The parameters of the study have not yet been defined," he said.
The agency remains committed to retiring the shuttle in 2010.
Five-year gap
In the five-year gap between the retirement of the shuttle and the first flights of the Orion capsule, Nasa will be reliant on Russia's Soyuz system for transporting astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).
But some are now concerned about the wisdom of this plan to purchase seats aboard the Soyuz, given the diplomatic tension between the US and Russia over the conflict in Georgia.
 Nasa's Orion ship will not be ready until 2015 |
This letter said Russia's conduct during the Georgia conflict "raised concerns about the reliability of Russia as a partner for the International Space Station".
It added: "Our concern is that we do not have a guarantee that such co-operative and mutually beneficial activity will continue to be available, and the successful utilisation of the ISS may thus be jeopardized."
The Democrats' presidential candidate Barack Obama has also talked about the possibility of additional shuttle flights to close the five-year gap.
Nasa currently has an agreement with Russia to fly astronauts to the ISS aboard the Soyuz spacecraft until 2011. After that, the agency would have to seek approval from Congress for an extension.
Nasa has previously said it would cost between $2.5bn and $4bn per year to keep the shuttles flying past 2010.
The agency has also given seed money to a commercial venture to develop a spacecraft for transporting crew and cargo to the space station.
Experts poised for rare frog hunt
Scientists are set to begin a hunt for the some of the world's rarest frogs in Costa Rica, including the iconic golden toad, last seen some 20 years ago.
A team from Manchester University and Chester Zoo are in Costa Rica to track down the highly endangered creatures.
BBC News will follow their trek deep into the cloud forests of Monteverde.
Amphibian numbers around the world have crashed, in part because of a deadly fungus. Costa Rica has been particularly badly hit.
Expedition leader Andrew Gray, from the University of Manchester's Manchester Museum, said: "Costa Rica's highlands used to be major biodiversity hotspots - but in many areas, amphibian populations have been completely decimated."
Killer fungus
|   |
In the late 1980s, herpetologists around the world found that amphibian populations were suffering unprecedented declines, but they struggled to understand exactly why.
A decade later, researchers isolated a previously unknown fungus, Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, which was infecting amphibians, effectively suffocating them by making it impossible for them to breathe across their skin.
Recently, the scientists working on the Global Amphibian Assessment estimated that one-third of all amphibians were threatened with extinction and about 120 species had already become extinct since the 1980s.
Many believe the disease caused by the chytrid fungus is a key factor for this crash. Other causes are thought to include habitat destruction and changes in climate.
Frog rediscovery
Countries in Central America have been particularly badly affected by the deadly chytrid fungus, which is widespread there. A great deal of effort is now being put into place to safeguard any remaining species.
|  To find this species last year that was thought to be extinct at the same times as the golden toad was incredible Andrew Gray |
Andrew Gray said: "For the last 10 years, I've been working with others to ensure the future for frogs that have so far escaped extinction.
"One of the main things I have been doing is establishing breeding populations in Manchester Museum for a number of very, very rare species - including the splendid leaf frog (Cruziohyla calcarifer), the yellow-eyed leaf frog (Agalychnas annae) and the lemur leaf frog (Hylomantis lemur).
"I've also been working with the Costa Rican authorities and scientists to put conservation measures into place at the sites where any rare frogs are found."
Last year, Mr Gray caught a glimpse of the Ithsmohyla rivularis in the cloud forests of Monteverde - a frog that was thought to have gone extinct about 20 years ago.
 Manchester Museum has a splendid leaf captive breeding population |
He said: "To find this species last year that was thought to have become extinct at the same time as the golden toad was incredible - it is the rarest tree frog in the world."
He has now been given special permission by the Costa Rican authorities to collect some of the frogs to take back to Manchester.
He told the BBC: "We are returning to thoroughly search the site in the hope of finding more specimens.
"It's not going to be easy - they live deep in the Monteverde rainforest, they are only a couple of centimetres in size and they only come out in the dead of night - and while the males do call, the females don't make a sound."
'Never say never'
The rediscovery of Ithsmohyla rivularis has spurred the team on to also try to seek out a golden toad (Bufo pereglines).
This colourful amphibian, which scientists only discovered in 1966, became the iconic symbol of amphibian decline. In 1987 there were approximately 1,500 of the toads, but just two years later it had vanished from the face of the rainforest.
Mr Gray said: "We are going to be trekking through an area where the golden toad used to thrive. It is very unlikely we will find one - but as last year's discovery showed us, never say never."
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The Manchester team has been looking at the properties of frogs' skin
While in the rainforest, the team will also be trying to track down the miniature red-eyed tree frog (Duellmanohyla uranochroa) - a species on the brink of extinction - to investigate how some frogs may be able to prevent the chytrid fungus from taking hold.
| This is a unique opportunity to study the frogs in their natural habitat Mark Dickinson |
Physicist Mark Dickinson, from Photon Science Institute at the University of Manchester, will be taking a spectrometer into the field to investigate how different frog species reflect light.
He said: "So far, I've only been able to investigate captive frogs in the lab. This is a unique opportunity to study the frogs in their natural habitat."
The team believes that the ability to sit out in the Sun may allow the frogs' skin to heat up just enough to kill off chytrid - preventing the disease from taking its grip.
Some of the team will also be heading to the last known breeding site of the green-eyed frog (Lithobates vibicarius) where Chester Zoo is helping to support a conservation programme.
BBC News will be keeping track of the researchers' progress over the next two weeks.
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